I hike this one often with my dogs. On the Carriage road, about 100 yards past the gate and the first brook crossing, there is a trail on the left. This is short and steep and dry and hot, and comes out right next to the Ski Patrol hut on the summit.

I like to park at the gate, go up Piper, cross Belknap, then hit Gunstock and back down to the car from there.